Clive Thabo Dube
Sports Reporter
ONE of the country’s oldest and most successful rugby football teams, Old Miltonians (oms) is still as strong as it was in the 1980s. These are words of Beglad Clifford Nekati, one of the players under its current roster.
Nekati who is a hooker (no.2) said thou Club Rugby in Zimbabwe may appear to be on a decline with some of the giants from previous decades having left the scene, Old Miltonians is one of the legendary Zimbabwean Club’s still standing. The former 7s Captain, Nekati also said that the sport of rugby is actually on a rise judging by the performance of the National 15s side, the Sables and the 7s side Cheetahs performance.
Nekati said a lot needs to be done by the local board to encourage youngsters to take up the sport.
“Rugby is a demanding sport that most people give up after school because of life and other reasons, but then l’m proud to say that consistency is key. I have managed to keep at it and the goal is to play for the national team,” he said.
On who inspires him, the 23- year- old said he looks up to New Zealander Samisoni Taukei’aho.
“It’s been a long journey with endless challenges but the major one is on the financial side as rugby requires a lot of it for you to be able to play. The money for boots. The lack of essential rugby equipment comes as a drawback and have experienced ankle, and wrist injuries which left me on the sidelines a couple of times.” Nekati also said commenting on the hurdles he has gone over in order to reach this far.
“All this gave me the thought of leaving the sport to focus on other things. But my friends, team mates and family pushed me to look at the bigger picture and keep aspiring to be the best. In a nutshell, I’ve met with a lot of people who have inspired me to be a great player.” He added.
Beglad Clifford Nekati who started playing rugby during his Primary School year’s believes there’s a whole lot of untapped talent in the country